Riddoch on the Outer Hebrides by Lesley Riddoch sampler

iddoch on the outer hebrides
number of times she considered sacking me was even greater. Given that
we were only working together for two weeks, that probably means there
was scarcely a period of 48 hours when one of us didn’t playfully consider
the pleasure that might be experienced murdering the other. In retrospect,
I don’t think I have ever enjoyed a fortnight more in my life.
Secondly, I knew that this is a vital time in the history of the islands.
The Gaelic culture is just about dead and the ‘Resties’ (we sold the house in
the south and bought a cheaper one here, the rest is invested) are arriving
in their droves.
Again this poses the question, does it matter a damn?
I think it does, otherwise I wouldn’t have gone.
Why does it matter? If mankind doesn’t turn away from a global culture
based on competitive consumption, our time on Earth is limited. Here on
the islands we have people who live different, non-materialistic lives that
may teach us something.
Some of this collective lifestyle is based on Gaelic tradition, on religious
tradition, and on valuing family above all else. A small part is just based on
smoking copious amounts of dope.
But all aspects of island tradition are interesting, all worth examining.
And in this book Lesley examines them by using the very technique
that is at the core of Hebridean culture: storytelling.
Through her stories she defines the state of, and to an extent the
potential of, some of these glorious islands and the cultures that they have
created.
Lesley is not only a great storyteller, she is also a great story gatherer.
During her career as a radio journalist in Scotland she has gained the
trust of thousands of people – who listened to her broadcasts, sometimes
shouting at her, sometimes whooping with delight as she dismantled some
prevaricating politician.
It was my job as her assistant to go ahead and find people prepared to
talk to her and it was never hard – often they had been having one-sided
conversations with her for years and were anxious to meet their pal.
I may have wanted to kill her, but I still love her.
Though you mustn’t believe everything she says about me.
The bitch.
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